Embedding matrices to extend the shelf-life of reference materials 2: Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Large-sized dried (LSD) spikes are solid reference materials used in nuclear safeguards for accurate determination of nuclear material inventories by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry which need to keep dried actinides stable in their vessel. For about 20 years a solvent cast film made of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) has been used to embed the dried material. With the main goal of improving the mechanical properties of the LSD spikes and therefore, to extend their shelf-life, a new approach with a different embedding material is proposed in this study. Furthermore, this approach increases the current capacity of the LSD spikes to embed actinides and thus, to produce these certified reference materials with a wider range of uranium and plutonium amounts.
The new embedding material used to preserve the LSD spikes was prepared using a cellulose based biodegradable polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The initial form of the matrix including the actinide material is foamy although with time it may become a viscous resin. Several tests and analyses were performed in spikes containing different amounts of uranium and plutonium to test the embedding matrix, its mechanical properties, ageing and determine the shelf-life. It was demonstrated that LSD spike CRMs embedded in a CMC matrix have a guaranteed extended shelf life of at least 7 years , provided that the protocols for preparation are carefully respected.
SANCHEZ HERNANDEZ Ana Maria;
CARLOS MARQUEZ Ramon;
TOTH Kalman;
BUDA Razvan;
BANIK Nidhu;
BAUWENS Jeroen;
BUJAK Renata;
JAKOPIC Rozle;
EXARCHOU Vasiliki;
DIESTE Oliver;
ZULEGER Evelyn;
AREGBE Yetunde;
2025-10-23
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
JRC137017
1977-5296 (online),
https://esarda.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/embedding-matrices-extend-shelf-life-reference-materials-2-carboxymethyl-cellulose_en,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC137017,
10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2025.1 (online),
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